Elk make their way across the road in Yellowstone National Park. National parks and forests across the country waive fees Sept. 27 for National Public Lands Day.

Elk make their way across the road in Yellowstone National Park. National parks and forests across the country waive fees Sept. 27 for National Public Lands Day. (Richard Derk / Los Angeles Times)

Evangelical ministers have gathered 42,000 signatures in support of national parks and public lands.

The petition calls on Congress to “to reauthorize the Land Water Conservation Fund and to defend the Antiquities Act and all God's lands it protects, and to reject selling off America's precious lands and waters.”

Supporters contend that Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and public playgrounds are a gift...

The United States is becoming less Christian as more and more people identify as having no religion.

The United States is becoming less Christian as more and more people identify as having no religion.

(Sebastien Bozon / AFP/Getty Images)

The percentage of Americans who identify as Christians has declined from 78.4 percent in 2007 to 70.6 percent in 2014, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center. While the United States has more Christians than any other country, the number has dropped from 178 million to 173 million in seven years.

The survey found that the decline occurs among Americans of all ages, races and educational...

Laurie Maticke (left) and Lesley Dwyer, (right) both of Enfield, wipe off hanging baskets as they unload a cart to put them on display at Colonial Flower Shoppe in Somers Tuesday. They were getting for Mother's Day which is Sunday. "Mother's Day is our busiest holiday, by far," said Maticke. The

Laurie Maticke (left) and Lesley Dwyer, (right) both of Enfield, wipe off hanging baskets as they unload a cart to put them on display at Colonial Flower Shoppe in Somers Tuesday. They were getting for Mother's Day which is Sunday. "Mother's Day is our busiest holiday, by far," said Maticke. The (Cloe Poisson / Hartford Courant)

The altar of the Basilica of the Nation Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe will be decorated with 10,000 roses honoring mothers on Mother's Day weekend, May 9-10. The roses symbolize appreciation for the unconditional love of mothers.

The roses are part of the 20th Anniversary of Roses for Mother's Day celebration. A Vigil Mass will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday.